Online Master’s in Psychology Degree Programs

MA in Psychology vs. MS in Psychology

Graduate-level psychology programs offer two common degree tracks: the Master of Arts (MA) in Psychology and the Master of Science (MS) in Psychology. While there is some overlap in coursework, the two degrees differ in key ways. Prospective students should consider their academic interests and desired career paths when choosing the right program.

The difference between an MA in Psychology and an MS in Psychology varies by school, and the degree title alone does not always indicate a specific career path. In general, an MA may place more emphasis on liberal arts, applied theory, counseling-related coursework, or human behavior in social contexts. An MS may place more emphasis on research methods, statistics, data analysis, and behavioral science.

However, students should review each program’s curriculum, practicum requirements, licensure disclosures, and career outcomes rather than relying only on the MA or MS label.

Because MA and MS requirements can be similar, prospective students may find it more useful to distinguish between terminal/applied master’s programs and doctoral-preparatory master’s programs.

Terminal or applied master’s programs may prepare graduates for roles in subfields that do not always require doctoral licensure, such as industrial-organizational psychology, research, program evaluation, human resources, or other applied settings. However, these programs generally do not qualify graduates to practice independently as licensed psychologists.

Doctoral-preparatory master’s programs strengthen students’ research skills and academic preparation before they apply to a doctoral program, especially in areas such as clinical, counseling, or school psychology.

What Can You Do with a Master’s in Psychology?

Career options with a master’s in psychology depend largely on whether you pursue a terminal/applied program or a doctoral-preparatory program, as well as the specific subfield.

Graduates of terminal or applied master’s programs may qualify for roles in areas that do not require doctoral licensure. These roles are often found in research, business, government, or human services settings. Examples may include positions in human resources, market research, program evaluation, behavioral analysis (non-licensed roles), or research coordination.

In contrast, many psychology careers that involve clinical assessment, diagnosis, or independent practice require additional education and licensure. Independent practice as a licensed psychologist generally requires a doctoral degree (PhD or PsyD) and state licensure. Some states offer limited master’s-level psychology credentials or supervised roles, but these vary by jurisdiction and typically do not allow independent practice.

Read more in our Guide to Careers in Psychology.

A master’s in psychology also typically does not meet educational requirements for licensure as a clinical mental health counselor, school counselor, or similar counseling roles. These pathways usually require a counseling-focused master’s degree, supervised clinical experience, examinations, and other state-specific requirements.

For example, becoming a school psychologist generally requires a specialist-level graduate degree (such as an EdS, SSP, or equivalent), which includes additional training beyond a standard master’s degree and a supervised internship. A doctorate may be required or preferred for some advanced roles, but it is not typically required for entry-level positions.

Therapist, Counselor or Psychologist? Head our guide to understand the differences.

Ways to Improve Your Job Prospects

Because psychology training pathways and licensure requirements vary widely, one of the most important steps students can take is to research state-specific requirements early, especially if they are considering clinical or licensed roles.

Requirements for practicing psychology, counseling, or school psychology differ by state and may include specific degree types, supervised experience, examinations, and scope-of-practice limitations. In addition to licensure rules, states may differ on title use, supervision requirements, and whether master’s-level psychology credentials are available.

Students can use resources such as the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB) to review jurisdiction-specific licensure requirements, including education, supervised experience, and examination expectations. Tools like Psychbook, maintained by ASPPB, provide an overview of psychology licensure laws and pathways across states.

Understanding these requirements can help students choose programs that align with their long-term goals, whether that means entering the workforce after a master’s degree or preparing for doctoral study and licensure.

Students may also benefit from reviewing program-level disclosures, speaking with academic advisors, and exploring state licensing board websites to confirm that a given degree path meets their intended career and licensure goals.

For more information, see our guide on Mental Health Career Paths: Counseling vs Therapy vs Psychology.

Receive Additional Training Before Doctoral Studies

You don’t always need a master’s degree to be admitted into a doctoral psychology program, but depending on the point you’re at in your career, you may consider it.

The APA notes that, in the United States, a doctoral degree is generally recognized and accepted as the educational credential for licensure eligibility to practice independently as a clinical psychologist.

If you’re thinking about this path but aren’t ready to commit to a doctoral program, an online Master of Psychology program allows you to delve into graduate-level studies, allowing you to make a decision regarding a postgraduate degree at a later time.

Master of Psychology Degree Concentrations

When you enroll in an online Master of Psychology degree program, you may be able to choose a specialization. These options vary by school and may not always correspond directly to APA-recognized specialties in professional psychology.

The APA recognizes 17 specialties of professional psychology. According to APA’s most recent survey, the 2021 Survey of Health Service Psychologists, some of the most commonly reported specialty areas among licensed health service psychologists include clinical psychology, clinical child and adolescent psychology, behavioral and cognitive psychology, and counseling psychology.

Popular master’s-level psychology concentrations include:

• Clinical psychology: Focuses on assessing and treating mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders. Students interested in becoming licensed clinical psychologists should note that independent practice generally requires a doctoral degree and state licensure.
• Industrial-organizational psychology: Applies psychological principles to workplaces and organizations. This concentration may support roles related to employee performance, organizational development, talent management, training, motivation, and workplace well-being.
• Forensic psychology: Applies psychology to legal and criminal justice settings. Coursework may address assessment, criminal behavior, correctional systems, victim services, or consultation with legal professionals. Some forensic psychology roles require doctoral-level training or licensure, depending on the position.
• Developmental psychology: Examines human growth and development across the lifespan. Graduates may work in research, program evaluation, education, human services, or other applied settings.
• Research or experimental psychology: Emphasizes research design, statistics, data analysis, and psychological science. This concentration may be useful for students interested in research roles or future doctoral study.
• Neuropsychology: Focuses on relationships between the brain, behavior, cognition, and neurological conditions. Clinical neuropsychology is typically a doctoral-level specialty, so master’s-level programs in this area are often best understood as preparation for research, support roles, or further graduate study.

Interested in a career in psychology? Check out our guide to online master’s degrees in clinical psychology for more information.

Learn more about a career as a behavior analyst and check out our guides to online master’s degrees in behavioral psychology and online master’s in applied behavior analysis.

Earning an Online Master’s in Psychology

Several universities offer master’s degree programs in psychology. Applicants should research thoroughly to find the program that best suits their needs.

The flexibility and convenience of online learning allow individuals to pursue a degree while working or caring for their families.

Admission requirements for online programs vary by institution. Requirements vary by school; some programs require a minimum grade point average, and you should confirm GRE requirements with each institution. Program length varies by school, credit requirements, enrollment status, and whether the program includes a thesis, capstone, practicum, or internship. Many full-time master’s programs in psychology are designed to take about 2 years, though timelines vary. Students who continue into doctoral study should expect a longer timeline; APA notes that most doctoral psychology programs take 5 to 7 years to complete.

Learn more about online master’s degrees in clinical psychology and behavioral psychology.

Application Requirements

Each institution has unique enrollment application requirements. However, prospective students should expect to provide the following:

Résumé: This résumé should highlight paid employment, internships, or volunteering positions in psychology or psychology-related fields.

Personal essay or statement: Many schools want to assess a potential candidate’s critical thinking and writing skills. This part of the application allows you to showcase your passion for and dedication to psychology.

Letters of recommendation: Schools may request two to three letters of recommendation from past or current employers or professors who can vouch for your work ethic and character.

Some institutions may participate in the Centralized Application Service for Graduate Psychology (PsychologyCAS), which allows applicants to apply to multiple graduate psychology programs using a single application.

Students can find participating programs on the PsychologyCAS website by searching the program directory. Individual program websites will also typically indicate whether they accept applications through PsychologyCAS or require a separate institutional application.

Using a centralized application service may streamline the application process by allowing students to submit transcripts, letters of recommendation, and other materials once and distribute them to multiple programs. However, applicants should carefully review each program’s specific requirements, as schools may require additional essays, prerequisites, or supplemental materials beyond the core application.

Learning Outcomes

The learning objectives of graduate programs vary by degree type and the institution offering them. Some degree programs may support preparation for licensure or specialized roles, but licensure eligibility depends on the program, jurisdiction, and credentials sought. In general, psychology coursework equips students with foundational knowledge relevant to various careers in the field.

As part of their program, students may learn:

• Laws and ethics of becoming a clinical practitioner
• Evidence-based psychotherapy techniques
• Education about mental disorders and emotional disorders
• Cross-cultural training about diverse populations
• Advanced understanding of lifespan human development
• Research assessment, interpretation, and application

Some programs require completion of a thesis or an equivalent project (such as a comprehensive exam or writing assignment) to demonstrate the successful integration of these learning outcomes.

Student Support for Online Students

Online students may require unique accommodations to feel supported and succeed in their programs. In traditional programs, students typically receive services on campus. However, student support for online students may involve a hybrid of electronic communication, including phone calls, email, video conferencing, text messaging, and live chats.

Online support varies depending on the institution, but the options may include:

• Admission and financial aid advising
• Academic tutoring and advising
• Ongoing technical support
• Library services
• Networking programs and communities
• Personal support services (i.e., health and counseling services)
• Military support for both service and family members
• Career, internship or clinical placement services
• Post-graduate alumni support

Live Class Discussions

Many programs require that students attend synchronous or live class discussions. During synchronous classes, students meet in a virtual classroom and speak with their professors. If a student cannot make the scheduled time, they may need to notify the professor in advance. These sessions include video or audio chat.

Asynchronous coursework, on the other hand, has no time constraints. It usually involves uploading homework onto a learning management system, responding to message boards, and reviewing course readings. While some assignments have deadlines, students can work at their own pace.

Online Class Size

Class size may influence the level of interaction and support students experience in an online program. Smaller online classes can make it easier for instructors to provide timely feedback, monitor student progress, encourage discussion, and maintain instructor presence. However, class size is only one factor; course design, faculty engagement, assessment type, and student-support resources also affect the quality of the online learning experience.

Doctorate in Psychology

Some students pursue a master’s in psychology as a terminal degree, while others use it as preparation for doctoral study. Understanding doctoral pathways can help prospective students decide whether a master’s program will meet their career goals or serve as a step toward advanced licensure, research, or academic roles.

A doctorate in psychology is the highest academic degree that psychology students can earn. For some careers, including independent practice as a licensed psychologist, a doctoral degree is generally required. Doctoral programs may also prepare graduates to teach in higher education, conduct psychological research, supervise clinical training, or work in advanced practice roles.

Prospective doctoral students should consider their long-term career goals, licensure requirements, time commitment, and financial investment before choosing this path.

PhD vs. PsyD Degree

The PhD and PsyD are both doctorate-level degrees. Both degree programs offer advanced psychology curricula and may prepare graduates to pursue licensure as psychologists, depending on program accreditation, jurisdiction, and supervised experience requirements.

The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) focuses intensively on statistical analysis and research methods. Students who wish to conduct their own research or pursue a teaching career in higher education often choose this track.

PhD programs typically take 5 to 7 years to complete, with students devoting the latter portion to their dissertations.

The Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) also provides an advanced concentration on clinical knowledge and practical application. However, rather than emphasizing research or statistics, the program prepares students to work directly with patients or clients. The PsyD program typically takes four to six years to complete. Students often have the option to complete a dissertation or an equivalent clinical project. Program requirements vary; students may complete a dissertation or another doctoral project, depending on the institution.

Psychology Dual Degree Programs

Dual degree programs allow students to earn both a master’s and a doctorate within the same program. To achieve this, the institution applies some course credits toward both degrees, essentially “double-counting” them.

As a result, coursework may be intensive, but the overall process takes less time than completing each degree separately. However, before applying, applicants must understand the commitment required to enroll in such a program.

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